Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are these pieces/sections pre-made?
A: NO It's created right at your home with our special equipment and our expertise to create it. Everything is done on site! Our product is a continuous concrete curbing that is extruded on site to your specifications. The breaks that you see in the photos are approximately every 2 feet. They are expansion/control joints common in many concrete applications.
Q: Can Tree roots harm or crack concrete borders?
A: YES. Tree roots over time can grow under any type of concrete and cause it to crack and lift. If this happens to your border simply pull back the mulch on the inside and pull up the sod on the outside, cut the root on both sides and slide it out from under the border. Your border should fall back into place, and you have restored the look of your edging without replacing it.
Q: How deep do you dig and how deep is the footing?
A: We use a trencher that creates a trench 1 - 2 inches deep by 9 inches wide. This can be done without disturbing your existing planters. There is no footer because the curb is concrete and has it's own footing.
Q: What about frost and ground movement?
A: The benefit of our quality concrete curbing is that it is a continuous piece of concrete. Individual blocks or bricks will shift over time and in the winter. Our curb is reinforced with fiber mesh and an additional additive which adds considerable strength to the curb. Expansion joints are cut every 2-3 feet to control cracking.
Q: What colors are available? Can you match my brick or siding?
A: We use high quality Davis integral colors in our decorative curbing products. At the time of your free estimate you can choose from a chart of over 30 available hues. The actual color of the finished curb may vary slightly from the chart depending on curing time, humidity, and temperature. For this reason, we suggest you choose a color that complements your existing color scheme, rather than trying to find an exact match to your home's exterior.
Q: Concrete is so permanent. What if I need to repair something underground?
A: Control joints are placed in the curb at installation. The curbing can be cut clean at these joints by using a special saw and applying leverage. Once the section is free, simply remove it, complete your repairs, and place the section of concrete edging into its original position.
Q: Will the curbing crack?
A: All concrete will crack. We take every precaution to limit and control cracking by using fiber mesh and another strengthening ingrediant to our concrete mixes and properly cutting control joints on even intervals. As a result, the cracks are hidden within the control joint and do not interfere with the beauty of your decorative edging.
Q: Is there any maintenance I must do to preserve the beauty of my new border?
A: Yes. We highly recommend that your border be sealed every year. The do-it-yourself-er can use a high grade acrylic, non yellowing sealer that can be purchased at any concrete supply store applied with a 6" foam roller or a sprayer. Impressive Curb Appeal offers this service at a reasonable fee.
